Cancer Prevention Strategies
Source: World
Health Organization (WHO)
At least one-third of all cancer cases are preventable.
Prevention offers the most cost-effective long-term
strategy for the control of cancer.
Tobacco is the single largest preventable cause of
cancer in the world today. It causes 80-90% of all
lung cancer deaths,
and about 30% of all cancer deaths in developing countries,
including deaths from cancer of the oral
cavity,
larynx, oesophagus and stomach.
A comprehensive strategy including bans on tobacco
advertising and sponsorship, tax increases on tobacco
products, and cessation programmes can reduce tobacco
consumption in many countries. The WHO Framework Convention
on Tobacco Control ,
adopted in May 2003, aims to curb tobacco-related deaths
and disease.
• Tobacco
Free Initiative:
•
Tobacco site on Pacificancer.org click
here please
Dietary modification is another important approach
to cancer control. There is a link between overweight
and obesity to many types of cancer such as oesophagus,
colorectum, breast, endometrium and kidney. Diets
high in fruits and vegetables may have a protective
effect against many cancers. Conversely, excess consumption
of red and preserved meat may be associated with
an increased risk of colorectal
cancer.
In addition, healthy eating habits that prevent the
development of diet-associated cancers will also
lower the risk of cardiovascular disease.
• Nutrition site on
Pacificancer.org click
here please
• Secretariat
of the Pacific Community (SPC) Public
Health Programme is
dedicated to improving the health, and therefore the
future, of all Pacific Islanders. To see a list of
selected publications from SPC’s Healthy Pacific Lifestyle please
click here
Regular physical activity and the maintenance of a
healthy body weight, along with a healthy diet, will
considerably reduce cancer risk. National policies
and programmes should be implemented to raise awareness
and reduce exposure to cancer risk factors, and to
ensure that people are provided with the information
and support they need to adopt healthy lifestyles.
• WHO global strategy on diet,
physical activity and health
• Nutrition
site on Pacificancer.org click
here please
are
responsible for almost 22% of cancer deaths in the
developing world and 6% in industrialized countries.
Viral hepatitis B and C cause cancer
of the liver;
human papilloma virus infection causes cervical
cancer;
the bacterium Helicobacter pylori increases the risk
of stomach
cancer.
In some countries the parasitic infection schistosomiasis
increases the risk of bladder cancer and in other countries
the liver fluke increases the risk of cholangiocarcinoma
of the bile ducts. Preventive measures include vaccination
and prevention of infection and infestation.
is
also known to cause to certain cancers. Excessive solar
ultraviolet radiation increases the risk of all types
of cancer of the skin. Avoiding excessive exposure,
use of sunscreen and protective clothing are effective
preventive measures.
Asbestos can cause lung cancer; aniline dyes have been
linked to bladder cancer; and benzene can lead to
leukaemia. The prevention of certain occupational
and environmental exposure to these and other chemicals
is another important element in preventing cancer.
Any alcohol consumption can increase your risk of
cancer, though there is some evidence to suggest that
small amounts of alcohol can help protect against heart
disease. Therefore, if you choose to drink, do so in
moderation.
If consumed at all, limit
alcoholic drinks to 2 for men and 1 for women a day.
Since the 1997 report, the evidence that alcoholic
drinks can increase the risk of a number of cancers,
including breast and colon cancer, is much stronger.
Source: World Cancer Research Fund International
quick links on-line:
Public Health Programme is
dedicated to improving the health, and therefore
the future, of all Pacific Islanders. To see a list
of selected publications from SPC’s Healthy Pacific
Lifestyle please
click here
from the Secretariat of the Pacific Community's website
(SPC-HPLS) please
click here
click here please
NCI Division of Cancer Prevention click
here please
click here please
ACS Prevention and Early Detection Videos click here
please
Small changes in your everyday life might help reduce
your risk of cancer click
here please
Quality Assurance & Improvement
is dedicated
to the health and well-being of the Pacific Island
populations.
The links and documents on their
website have been selected from a very large body of
available materials about quality assurance (QA) and
accreditation in health care, with the intention of
including those that are especially useful for PIHOA
members and their associates who are interested in
building QA systems which fit with their local needs.
The materials have been grouped into several sections. To
get to the PIHOA quality assurance site please
click here
tools and Pacific focus resources
